Vocabulary games for English learners
Twenty short games that all use the same words. A round takes a minute or two, runs in your browser and needs no sign-up.
Meet new words
One word, four meanings.
Know the meaning
See the word, find what it means.
Word Pairs
Match each word to its meaning. Every pair lights a lantern.
Opens after you meet 8 words
Word Sprint
90 seconds: pick the right meaning, as many as you can.
Opens after you meet 32 words
Word Duel
Block each monster's word with its meaning card.
Opens after you meet 10 words
Word Show
Climb the ladder with two lifelines. One wrong answer ends the show.
Opens after you meet 36 words
Find the word
From a meaning or a sentence to the word.
Word Peek
Uncover as little of the meaning as you dare, then pick the word.
Opens after you meet 12 words
Word Bingo
Read the meaning, mark the word. Make a line for Bingo.
Opens after you meet 16 words
Word Post
Read the letter and post it to the word that fills the gap.
Opens after you meet 20 words
Word Bubbles
Shoot each meaning at its word. Whatever hangs below falls.
Opens after you meet 14 words
Word Run
Read the sentence, then run through the gate with the missing word.
Opens after you meet 18 words
Word Blocks
Pick the piece whose word fits the meaning, then place it. Full lines clear.
Opens after you meet 22 words
Word Guard
Name the word each invader means before it reaches your gate.
Opens after you meet 28 words
Write from memory
The strongest practice: produce the word.
Word Lock
Guess the word from its meaning. Each guess shows which letters are right.
Opens after you meet 8 words
Word Grid
Fill the mini crossword. Each answer gives letters to the next.
Opens after you meet 24 words
Word Golf
Type the word in as few strokes as you can. Each clue costs a stroke.
Opens after you meet 26 words
Word Blaster
Type the word for each meaning to blast its meteor.
Opens after you meet 44 words
Spelling practice
Build the word letter by letter.
Word Forge
Put the letters in order to spell the word.
Opens after you meet 12 words
Word Snake
Eat the letters in order to spell the word.
Opens after you meet 30 words
Word Hunt
Find the word for each meaning hidden in the letters.
Opens after you meet 40 words
One word list, many ways to practice
Every game uses the same words and counts toward the same progress.
You start with Word Tower, which shows a word and four meanings. Word Bridge shows a sentence with a word missing, and you type it. The other games open as you meet more words, and words you miss come back in a later round.
The games are for adults with intermediate English, around B1–B2, who need academic vocabulary for university study or exams such as IELTS and TOEFL. About IELTS vocabulary practice
Why games that make you recall words, rather than lists to read? How to learn English vocabulary that sticks